In an extraordinary move, U.S. aviation safety officials released a warning that “strongly advises” passengers not to turn on or charge a new-model Samsung smartphone during flights.
The Federal Aviation Administration also warned flyers to place the Galaxy Note 7 phones in their checked baggage, due to “recent incidents and concerns raised by Samsung” about the danger of the device catching fire.
It was noted widely that warning passengers about a specific product are extremely unusual for the FAA.
“In light of recent incidents and concerns raised by Samsung about its Galaxy Note 7 devices,” the statement reads, “the Federal Aviation Administration strongly advises passengers not to turn on or charge these devices on board aircraft and not to stow them in any checked baggage.”
FAA Statement on Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Devices https://t.co/NADpT5Jma4 pic.twitter.com/e9uJvNmUUq
— The FAA (@FAANews) September 8, 2016
Last week, Samsung ordered a global recall after reports that some of the devices exploded while being charged due to problems with the battery.
In one case, a St. Petersburg, Florida family reported a Galaxy Note 7 phone left charging in their Jeep caught fire and destroyed the unattended vehicle.
Samsung has said that the number of incidents was relatively low, with 35 globally as of September 1st and that no one appears to have been injured, they said.
